Definition of Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism is a social system based on submission to authority. Authoritarian governments typically concentrate all power in a leader or leaders, with no accountability or limits on power. Leadership is usually self-appointed, without input from the population or elections. Authoritarian rule is often characterized by repressive regimes, the exclusion of any political challengers, rigged elections, and the unregulated and unaccountable use of power. There are no guarantees of civil liberties or tolerance for political opposition. Its most extreme form is totalitarianism, in which the government maintains authority over all aspects of public and private life. Authoritarianism is at odds with democracy and individualism. The change of authoritarian rule to democracy is referred to as democratization.